Tackle the big cleaning jobs with these power washers

Pressure washers are portable pumps that boost the household flow of about 50 psi up to 2,000 psi with electric models, and 4,000 psi with gas models rated for DIY use.

That's 80 times normal pressure, and more than enough to clean decks, siding and driveways. It's also enough to shatter glass and knock light fixtures off siding. The tools are handy and versatile, but powerful enough even to tear flesh. They need to be handled according to manufacturers' instructions — in a nutshell, carefully.

With an extension wand you can clean gutters. With a diffusing spray and detergent mixed in you can clean cars. Add bleach to wash mold off siding — and handle many other jobs, all at modest pressure settings. That's why the three washers here are midrange — from 1,700 to 2,700 psi, including electric and gas models. Higher pressure, hot water and steam are costly upgrades mainly for contractors.

The compact and rugged wheeled cart with telescoping handle carries everything you need to use the 1,700 psi unit with a flow rate of 1.4 gallons per minute (gpm). You are tethered to a power cord, but don't have to deal with gas and oil for an engine. And the combination of a 35-foot electrical cord with a 25-foot hose covers a lot of territory. This new model has a handy detergent injection system with a dial that lets you mix the amount of cleanser you want when you want it. But instead of a dial for pressure there are two hoses in the wand: high pressure and low pressure that can be mixed and matched, and used with increased water flow when needed for rinsing. Quick-connect nozzles work solidly, as do the controls built into a beefy handle on the 21-inch spray wand.

Specs: 48 pounds, $199 at homedepot.com; details at homelite.com

Craftsman 2700 PSI

From a distance it could be a lawn mower with the Briggs and Stratton 175 cc engine. Except instead of turning blades it's pumping water up to 2,700 psi with a flow rate of 2.3gpm. It's bigger and noisier than most electric models. But there's more power to handle bigger cleaning jobs, and no limitations of an electrical cord. The well-balanced cart has large wheels and a fold-down handle for storage. Add oil and gas, and the washer is easy to pull-start with no choking or priming required. Typically Craftsman, it's loaded with features, including a tray for accessories, storage for the 25-foot hose, a detergent system that automatically mixes from concentrate, plus a feed for diluted cleansers. A nozzle selector adjusts to five positions for soaping, three different pressure levels and high-flow rinsing, all covered in a helpful quick-start sheet — even though you'll read the entire manual.

Specs: 71 pounds, $300, details at sears.com.

Snap-on 2000 PSI Electric

Snap-on is known for automotive tools, so a 2,000 psi, 1.4 gpm pressure washer makes sense — with more than enough power to wash cars and trucks in a sleek, portable package the size of a slender upright vacuum. A telescoping handle makes the unit easy to store. There's a 35-foot power cord, a 25-foot pressure hose and a detergent tank built into the caddy. It has an off-on switch.

All other controls are at the nozzle. The clever design makes it easy to use and change the full range of applications. You can dial in detergent at low pressure, raise or lower the pressure as needed, and adjust the spray pattern from a narrow, high-impact stream to a 60-degree fan spray — all with simple twists, and all in one place. A clear, quick-start instruction sheet covers the few simple steps needed to set up and start using this nicely designed washer.